중앙데일리

Kim warns of ‘new path’ if U.S. talks stall

김정은 “트럼프와 언제든 대화, 제재 땐 새 길 모색”

Jan 05,2019

Korea JoongAng DailyWednesday, January 2, 2019

*North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his resolve to pursue denuclearization in his New Year’s address on Tuesday, but warned that Pyongyang would pursue a “new path” if Washington continues to strong-arm his country with sanctions.

“I am and will always be willing to sit down again with the U.S. president at any time,” Kim said in reference to the possibility of a second U.S.-North Korea summit, recently hinted at several times by U.S. President Donald Trump. “I will endeavor to produce a result welcomed by the international community.”

Wearing a Western suit and tie for the third New Year’s address in a row, Kim delivered his 2019 speech seated in a leather armchair in what looked like a private study, with reverent portraits of his father and grandfather — the North’s former leaders — hanging on walls behind him.

While his 30-minute speech was addressed to a domestic audience like the United States’ State of the Union, it contained an unmistakable message to the world — and the United States in particular — at a time when denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea have been at an impasse for months.

Stressing that the North had implemented “practical measures” towards denuclearization like halting the further building and testing of nuclear weapons, Kim said the negotiations would proceed with “greater certainty and innovation” if the United States responded with “trustworthy and corresponding steps.”